Vikings star WR Jordan Addison suspended three games for substance of abuse violation

The NFL has suspended Minnesota Vikings receiver Jordan Addison for the first three games of the 2025 season for violating the league’s substance of abuse policy, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He will be eligible to return to the field in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Addison is coming off of his second season with the Vikings after being drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of USC. He put up numbers of 63 catches for 975 yards and nine touchdowns across 15 games this past year.

Minnesota could lean even more heavily on star receiver Justin Jefferson for the three games that Addison is out. Jefferson finished second in the NFL in receiving yards this past season with 1,533 on 103 catches to go along with 10 touchdowns.

Others who could step up include tight end T.J. Hockenson and receivers Jalen Nailor, Rondale Moore and Tai Felton. Felton is a rookie whom the Vikings selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Maryland. Either way, first-year starter J.J. McCarthy will be without one of his top targets for the first three games against the Bears, Falcons and Bengals.

Per the NFL Players Association, every player receives one annual test according to the league’s substance of abuse policy. Players who are in the SOA program can be tested up to 10 times per month. It’s unclear at this point which banned substance that Addison tested positive for.

Jordan Addison pleads to ‘wet reckless’ charge

Addison was arrested in July 2024 in Los Angeles after being found asleep in his car. That led to DUI charges, but the receiver opted this past month to plead to a lesser “wet reckless” charge.

A wet reckless charge is, in essence, a term given to plea deals where in a case a prosecutor has charged a defendant with DUI. They then drop those charges in exchange for a guilty or no contest plea to the lesser charge of reckless driving.

In Addison’s case, he’ll need to pay a standard fine and complete two online courses. After that, it’s expected that his probation is going to be terminated in about six months’ time. Tim Younger, an attorney and sports agent, also shared that Addison has already voluntarily participated in MADD events and programs.

“Today, after careful consideration of the charges against him and all defenses,” Younger posted. “Jordan Addison decided to plead to a lesser included vehicular offense, commonly referred to as a “wet reckless.” As a result, Mr. Addison will pay a standard fine and complete two online courses after which we expect that his probation will be terminated early in six months. Over the past year, he voluntarily participated in MADD events and programs and, after reflection, decided to enter this plea understanding the ramifications of this decision. He has kept the organization apprised throughout these legal proceedings, and will continue in his full commitment to being a valuable member of his team.”

On3’s Dan Morrison contributed to this report.